Short Interpregnancy Intervals: An Evidence-Based Guide for Clinicians

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Reproductive Health
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Background:

• The interpregnancy interval (IPI) is the time between pregnancy outcomes.
• Short IPI is linked to adverse maternal and fetal health outcomes.
• Existing guidelines focus primarily on IPI after live births.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and synthesize available literature on interpregnancy intervals (IPI).
• To provide evidence-based IPI recommendations for clinicians.
• To extend guidance beyond IPI following live births to include other pregnancy outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis.
• Evidence-based analysis of existing studies.
• Development of clinical recommendations based on scientific data.

Main Results:

• Established optimal IPI of 18-23 months after live birth to reduce morbidity.
• Identified a gap in evidence-based recommendations for IPI after miscarriage, stillbirth, and abortion.
• Synthesized data to inform recommendations for various pregnancy outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Interpregnancy intervals require careful consideration across all pregnancy outcomes.
• Evidence-based recommendations are crucial for optimizing maternal and fetal health.
• Further research may be needed to refine IPI guidelines for diverse scenarios.